Branded residences, the new upscale trend in Bangalore

From housekeeping and valet services to gourmet dining and dedicated concierge, you’ll enjoy five-star living. Welcome to the world of branded residences, where luxury meets world class facilities.

If high rises were the trend in real estate in the last few years, branded residences will be the next big trend in the coming years. While the trend is relatively new, developers in Mumbai and Bangalore have begun toying with the idea of building such branded residences. Branded homes come with bespoke design features and have an array of services including 24-hour concierge, valet parking and limousine and in-room dining service. This means the homes, although owned by individuals, will be maintained by the hospitality brand. These branded private residences promise a lifestyle statement in the home segment offering 5-star luxury standards.

Bangalore is rapidly becoming a global hub for science and technology, the preferred destination for international business and is one of world’s fastest growing metros. And this has been the driving point for many real estate giants to launch luxury projects in the city. CityView, a joint venture of London-based developer Westcourt, Goldman Sachs and city-based Century Real Estate, has launched Four Seasons Hotel and Private Residences in Bangalore. Situated just north of the Palace Grounds in a 6.5 acre site, CityView will feature a composition of three spectacular buildings, including two 30 storey towers set amidst extensive landscaped gardens.

The towers will house the hotel along with one- and two-bedroom apartments priced at Rs. 4-7 crore on the top nine floors. The second 30-storey building, labelled the North Tower, will be dedicated entirely for residential spaces, and will have generous three- and four-bedroom apartments priced upwards of Rs.10 crore. Designed by some of the pre-eminent names in architecture, interior design and landscape design including Studio u+a, Yabu Pushelberg and P landscape, the buildings will include duplex penthouses that will be custom-made for buyers.

“The biggest distinction is the service component. We are not just creating a premium offering with this development, but adding to Bangalore a landmark destination that will define new standards of living, work and leisure, all in one location. Branded residences have become coveted in major world cities. The big difference is these residences are serviced by high quality operator,” says Westcourt’s president and CEO, Vinay Kapoor, the Rs 1,200 crore project will house 105 residences.

He adds, “The residents will benefit from their own specific menu of services including 24-hour concierge, valet parking and complex-wide Wi-Fi coverage. In addition, they will have direct-dial access to the service and amenities of Four Seasons Hotel, Bangalore. These include privileges such as in-room dining, limousine service, apartment cleaning services, supermarket shopping and delivery, which are provided for a fee or on an a-la-carte basis.”

CityView is expected to be ready in 2012, but the fact that several similar projects are in the pipeline across the country is an indication that the new concept of branded residences is here to stay.